Dear May 2021 University Commencement participants,

We are delighted to inform you that the Governor of Virginia has released preliminary guidance for how colleges and universities may safely hold in-person graduation and commencement events this spring and summer. Under this guidance, educational institutions are required to implement certain mitigation measures, including masking, physical distancing, occupancy limitations, and cleaning and signage requirements.

With this heartening news, we can reassure you that we will hold our multiple, in-person University Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 22, and Sunday, May 23, and you will be able to walk across the commencement stage in front of your loved ones as part of a special and safe event.

We are currently planning ceremonies for:

Saturday, May 22

• School of Business
• Shenandoah Conservatory
• School of Health Professions
• Eleanor Wade Custer School of Nursing
• Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy

Sunday, May 23

• College of Arts & Sciences
• Division of Education and Leadership

We expect to hold two ceremonies each day, with four guests permitted per graduate. Ceremony times will be announced in April, and guest tickets will be available soon.

Hooding, Pinning, & Baccalaureate ceremonies

Hooding and pinning ceremonies and our traditional baccalaureate service are planned for Thursday, May 20 and Friday, May 21; details will be announced soon by school.

RSVP Now

Graduates who plan to participate in University Commencement need to RSVP by Thursday, April 22.

Participation in May 2021 University Commencement is open to all graduates who did not participate in the in-person October 2020 ceremony from:

• May 2021
• December 2020
• August 2020
• May 2020
• December 2019
• August 2019

Vaccine Preregistration

As we look forward to May, we encourage you to preregister for your COVID-19 vaccine. (In Virginia, you can get on the preregistration list at vaccinate.virginia.gov.) We’re optimistic that rising numbers of vaccinations, along with continued surveillance testing for the university community and an enduring dedication to mask wearing, hand washing, physical distancing and symptom checking will help us hold a University Commencement for the record books.

Again, be sure to to RSVP by April 22.

Ready to celebrate,

Adrienne Bloss, Ph.D.
Provost